Oxygen Supply Device And Method For Supplying A Passenger Cabin Of An Aircraft With Oxygen

Abstract

An oxygen supply device for an aircraft has a reaction tank for chemical oxygen generation and a pressurized tank filled with oxygen. The oxygen supply device also has an energy converter for converting thermal energy into electrical energy and also a control unit for setting a first amount of oxygen, provided by the reaction tank to a consumer unit, and a second amount of oxygen, provided by the pressurized tank to the consumer unit. The energy converter is designed to convert a thermal energy, generated by the chemical oxygen generation in the reaction tank, into electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy. The control unit is designed to set the second amount of oxygen, provided by the pressurized tank to the consumer unit, by using the electrical energy provided by the energy converter. The invention also relates to a method for supplying a passenger cabin of an aircraft with oxygen.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to supplying oxygen for aircraft and spacecraft systems. In particular, the invention relates to an oxygen supply device for an aircraft and to a method for supplying a passenger cabin of an aircraft with oxygen.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Depending on the operating state of the aircraft, various possibilities come into consideration for supplying a passenger cabin of an aircraft with oxygen. The primary source for supplying air to the passenger cabin of an aircraft is generally the engines of the aircraft. However, other oxygen supply systems also come into consideration, such as for example the supply provided by compressed air from oxygen tanks or by chemically generated oxygen. A chemical oxygen supply uses a chemical reaction, which generates heat and oxygen without electrical energy being required for this. However, because of the weight, this type of oxygen generation is less suitable for longer supply times of mo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to an oxygen supply device for aircrafts that reduces power consumption. The device combines two techniques for supplying oxygen, namely chemical oxygen generation and pressurized gas oxygen supply. By doing so, the device avoids the need for an external power supply and reduces power consumption during long operating times. The chemical oxygen generated by a reaction tank is converted into electrical energy, which is stored in an energy store. The stored energy is then used to operate the oxygen flow regulation from the pressurized tank. This reduces the power consumption for supplying oxygen to the aircraft's passenger cabin. Additionally, the control unit is designed to maintain a minimum flow of oxygen during a prescribed time period, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations.

Problems solved by technology

However, because of the weight, this type of oxygen generation is less suitable for longer supply times of more than 30 minutes.

This requires electronic measurement and control devices and an electropneumatic flow limitation.

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